Brock's reign at top short-lived

BROCKENHURST entertain Blackfield & Langley in the Hampshire FA Senior Cup tonight having had their reign cut short at the Sydenhams Premier Division summit.

They were ruthlessly knocked off top spot by Moneyfields, who beat the Badgers 5-1 at Dover Road on Saturday to leapfrog them on goal difference.

Brock head to Moneyfields again this Saturday in the FA Vase first qualifying round and must learn lessons to stand any chance of progressing.

Steve Hutchings got Money’s victory under way with a quick-fire double added to by manager’s son Alfie Rutherford, Stuart Green and Jack Lee. Brad Magookin got Brock’s late reply.

“Moneyfields were good, but we weren’t,” summed up Brock boss Pat McManus.

“To compete with sides who are effectively top-three – which Moneys are, I believe – we can’t afford for four or five not to play well, but that’s what happened.

“Our squad is wafer thin, which we’re trying to address, and we couldn’t make changes to affect the game. We were three down at half-time and we needed those who were playing to get better, but they didn’t.”

Blackfield assistant boss Chris Farrell will miss tonight’s county cup tie to watch Alresford Town’s FA Cup replay at Sherborne. The winners visit Gang Warily in the first qualifying round on September 13.